Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor device includes a first stacked structure having first conductive layers and first insulating layers formed alternately with each other, first semiconductor patterns passing through the first stacked structure, a coupling pattern coupled to the first semiconductor patterns, and a slit passing through the first stacked structure and the coupling pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/202,683 filed on Mar. 16, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/363,659 filed on Mar. 25, 2019 and issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 10,978,472 on Apr. 13, 2021, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/282,898 filed on May 20, 2014 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,283,518 on May 7, 2019, which claims benefitsof priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0152591 filed onDec. 9, 2013. The disclosure of each of the foregoing application isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of Invention

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generallyto an electronic device and a method of manufacturing the same, and moreparticularly, to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturingthe same.

Description of Related Art

A non-volatile memory device preserves stored data even when power iscut off. Two-dimensional memory devices in which memory cells arefabricated in a single layer over a silicon substrate have reachedphysical limits in increasing their degree of integration. Accordingly,three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory devices in which memory cellsare stacked in a vertical direction over a silicon substrate have beenproposed.

In a conventional 3D non-volatile memory, a stacked structure may beformed by alternately stacking conductive layers and insulating layers,and by forming a channel layer passing through the stacked structure, sothat a plurality of memory cells may be formed at the same time.However, as the height of the stacked structure increases, themanufacturing process increases in difficulty. In addition, increases inchannel length may lead to a reduction in cell current.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to asemiconductor device having improved characteristics and a method ofmanufacturing the same.

A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention may include a first stacked structure having first conductivelayers and first insulating layers formed alternately with each other,first semiconductor patterns passing through the first stackedstructure, a coupling pattern coupled to the first semiconductorpatterns, and a slit passing through the first stacked structure and thecoupling pattern.

A semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention may include a first stacked structure having first gateelectrodes and first insulating layers formed alternately with eachother, a second stacked structure located under the first stackedstructure and including second gate electrodes and second insulatinglayers formed alternately with each other, first channel layers passingthrough the first stacked structure, second channel layers passingthrough the second stacked structure, a coupling pattern including ahorizontal portion coupled to lower portions of the first channel layersand upper portions of the second channel layers and vertical portionsprotruding from the horizontal portion and surrounding sidewalls of thefirst channel layers, and a slit passing through the first stackedstructure, the second stacked structure and the horizontal portion ofthe coupling pattern.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to anembodiment of the present invention may include forming a sacrificialpattern, forming a first stacked structure over the sacrificial pattern,wherein the first stacked structure includes first material layers andsecond material layers formed alternately with each other, forming firstopenings passing through the first stacked structure, removing thesacrificial pattern through the first openings to form a second opening,forming a multilayer dielectric layer in the first and second openingsto fill the second opening; and forming first semiconductor patterns inthe first openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views illustrating a semiconductordevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a layout view illustrating the semiconductor device describedwith reference to FIGS. 1A to 1C;

FIGS. 3A to 3F are cross-sectional views illustrating a semiconductordevice according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are layout views illustrating the semiconductor devicedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3F;

FIGS. 5A to 5E are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 6A to 6E are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 7A to 7D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 8A to 8D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 9A to 9D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 10A to 10D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a memory system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a memory system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system according toan embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thepresent invention may, however, be embodied in different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the presentinvention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, thicknesses anddistance of components are exaggerated for convenience of illustration.In the following description, detailed explanations of known relatedfunctions and constitutions may be omitted to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the subject manner of the present invention. Like referencenumerals refer to like elements throughout the specification anddrawings.

Furthermore, ‘connected/coupled’ represents that one component isdirectly coupled to another component or indirectly coupled throughanother component. In this specification, a singular form may include aplural form as long as it is not specifically mentioned in a sentence.Furthermore, ‘include/comprise’ or ‘including/comprising’ used in thespecification represents that one or more components, steps, operations,and elements exist or are added. Also, in this specification, a phrase‘substantially the same’ may be used to cover a difference or adiscrepancy within an allowable error.

It should be readily understood that the meaning of “on” and “over” inthe present disclosure should be interpreted in the broadest manner sothat “on” means not only “directly on” but also “on” something with anintermediate feature(s) or a layer(s) therebetween, and that “over”means not only directly on top but also on top of something with anintermediate feature(s) or a layer(s) therebetween.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a semiconductor deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the semiconductor device may include a firststacked structure ST1 including first conductive layers 11 and firstinsulating layers 12 formed alternately with each other, firstsemiconductor patterns 14 passing through the first stacked structureST, a coupling pattern 17 coupled to the first semiconductor patterns14, and a slit SL.

The first conductive layers 11 may be gate electrodes of transistors.For example, the first conductive layers 11 may be gate electrodes ofselection transistors, memory cell transistors and the like. The firstconductive layers 11 may include a polysilicon layer or tungsten. Thefirst insulating layers 12 may electrically insulate the stacked gateelectrodes from each other, and include oxide layers.

The first semiconductor patterns 14 may be channel layers oftransistors. For example, the first semiconductor patterns 14 may bechannel layers of selection transistors, memory cell transistors and thelike. The first semiconductor patterns 14 may include polysiliconlayers. Each of the first semiconductor patterns 14 may have a centralportion, which may be open or completely filled, wholly or in part.Insulating layers 15 may be formed in the open central portions of thefirst semiconductor patterns 14.

The coupling pattern 17 may be coupled to lower portions of the firstsemiconductor patterns 14. The coupling pattern 17 may include ahorizontal portion 17B coupled to the lower portion of the firstsemiconductor pattern 14 and vertical portions 17A protruding from thehorizontal portion 17B and surrounding sidewalls of the firstsemiconductor patterns 14. The vertical portions 17A may protrude fromeither or both of the top and bottom surfaces of the horizontal portion17B.

Each of the vertical portions 17A may evenly or unevenly surround eachof the sidewalls of the first semiconductor patterns 14 at a uniform ornon-uniform height. For example, the coupling pattern 17 may includepolysilicon or a silicide material and have conductivity.

The slit SL may be formed between the first semiconductor patterns 14and pass through the first stacked structure ST1, and the horizontalportion 17B of the coupling pattern 17. Though not illustrated in FIG.1A, an insulating layer may be formed in the slit SL.

The semiconductor device may further include first multilayer dielectriclayers 13 surrounding the sidewalls of the first semiconductor patterns14. Each of the first multilayer dielectric layers 13 may be a gateinsulating layer of a selection transistor or a memory layer of a memorycell transistor. For example, each of the first multilayer dielectriclayers 13 may include at least one of a charge blocking layer, a datastorage layer and a tunnel insulating layer. The data storage layer mayinclude a charge trap layer such as a nitride layer, a polysiliconlayer, nanodots, and a phase-change material layer.

The first multilayer dielectric layer 13 and the vertical portion 17A ofthe coupling pattern 17 may have substantially the same thickness, i.e.,W2=W3. The thickness W1 of the horizontal portion 17B may be less thantwice as much as the thickness W2 of the first multilayer dielectriclayer 13. For example, when the first multilayer dielectric layer 13includes the charge blocking layer, the data storage layer and thetunnel insulating layer, the thickness W1 of the horizontal portion 17Bof the coupling pattern 17 may be less than twice as much as the sum ofthicknesses of the charge blocking layer, the data storage layer and thetunnel insulating layer while more than twice as much as the sum ofthicknesses of the charge blocking layer and the data storage layer. Inanother example, the thickness W1 of the horizontal portion 17B of thecoupling pattern 17 may be less than twice as much as the sum of thethicknesses of the charge blocking layer and the data storage layerwhile more than twice as much as the thickness of the charge blockinglayer.

The semiconductor device may further include first dielectric patterns16 surrounding the first conductive layers 11. For example, each of thefirst dielectric patterns 16 may include at least one of the chargeblocking layer, the data storage layer and the tunnel insulating layer.

The semiconductor device may further include a second stacked structureST2 located under the first stacked structure ST1. The second stackedstructure ST2 may be similar to the first stacked structure ST1. Forexample, the second stacked structure ST2 may include second conductivelayers 21 and second insulating layers 22 formed alternately with eachother, second semiconductor patterns 24 passing through the secondstacked structure ST2, a second multilayer dielectric layer 23surrounding sidewalls of the second semiconductor patterns 24, and asecond dielectric pattern 26 surrounding the second conductive layers21.

The slit SL may extend to pass through the second stacked structure ST2.The coupling pattern 17 and an insulating layer 18 surrounding thecoupling pattern 17 may be interposed between the first stackedstructure ST1 and the second stacked structure ST2. The coupling pattern17 may contact lower portions of the first semiconductor patterns 14 andupper portions of the second semiconductor patterns 24, so that thefirst semiconductor pattern 14 and the second semiconductor pattern 24may be coupled to each other through the coupling pattern 17.

For example, when the first and second semiconductor patterns 14 and 24are channel layers, and the coupling pattern 17 has conductivity, aportion of the channel layer may include a conductive pattern.Therefore, a cell current flowing through the channel layer may beimproved. In addition, the channel layer having a high aspect ratio maybe formed through a manufacturing process having lowered level ofdifficulty by using the plurality of semiconductor patterns coupledthrough the coupling pattern 17.

Though not illustrated in FIG. 1A, each of the second semiconductorpatterns 24 may include a groove, and the groove may be filled with thecoupling pattern 17. In addition, the semiconductor device may furtherinclude another coupling pattern, which may be coupled to the bottomsurface of the second semiconductor patterns 24, and may function as asource layer.

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, at least oneof the uppermost first conductive layers 11 and at least one of thelowermost second conductive layers 21 may be gate electrodes ofselection transistors, and the remaining first and second conductivelayers 11 and 21 may be gate electrodes of memory cell transistors. Inthis example, cell strings of the semiconductor device may havevertically linear arrangement.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a semiconductor deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the semiconductor device may further includea protective layer 19 formed over the coupling pattern 17. Theprotective layer 19 may contact a top surface of the coupling pattern 17and include a different material from the coupling pattern 17. Forexample, the coupling pattern 17 may include a silicide material, andthe protective layer 19 may include doped polysilicon, undopedpolysilicon or the like. Other than as described herein with referenceto FIG. 1B, the semiconductor device may be the same as described abovewith reference to FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view illustrating a semiconductor deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1C, a semiconductor device may further include athird semiconductor pattern 27 coupling at least two secondsemiconductor patterns 24, and a third conductive layer 26 surroundingthe third semiconductor pattern 27.

The third semiconductor pattern 27 may be connected to the secondsemiconductor patterns 24 in a single body. The third semiconductorpattern 27 may have a central portion, which may be open or filled,wholly or in part. The open central portion of the third semiconductorpattern 27 may be filled with an insulating layer 25. The secondmultilayer dielectric layer 23 surrounding the sidewalls of the secondsemiconductor patterns 24 may extend to surround the third semiconductorpattern 27.

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, at least oneof the uppermost first conductive layers 11 may be gate electrodes ofselection transistors; the remaining first conductive layers 11, and thesecond conductive layers 21 may be gate electrodes of memory celltransistors; and the third conductive layer 26 may be a gate electrodeof a pipe transistor coupling the memory cell transistors. In thisexample, cell strings of the semiconductor device may have U-shapedarrangement. Other than as described herein with reference to FIG. 1C,the semiconductor device may be the same as described above withreference to FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a layout view illustrating the semiconductor device describedwith reference to FIGS. 1A to 1C. For the sake of clear illustration,FIG. 2 shows only the positions of the first semiconductor patterns 14,the coupling pattern 17, and slits SL1 and SL2 of the semiconductordevice.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 . the first semiconductor patterns 14 may bearranged in a first direction I-I′ and a second direction II-II′crossing the first direction I-I′. The first semiconductor patterns 14may be arranged in a matrix pattern or offset from each other.

The coupling patterns 17 may have island shapes, and may be arranged ina matrix pattern or offset from each other. Each of the couplingpatterns 17 may overlap each of the first semiconductor patterns 14.

Each of the first slits SL1 may be located between neighboring couplingpatterns 17 and extend in the second direction II-II′. Therefore, thecoupling patterns 17 may contact the first slits SL1 and be separated bythe first slit SL1. The second slits SL2 may be located at boundaries ofmemory blocks MB of the semiconductor device. The first slits SL1 andthe second slits SL2 may be formed at the same time or separately. Aninsulating layer may be formed in the first and second slits SL1 andSL2.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a semiconductor deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter,description placing focus on features illustrated by the drawing will bemade with reference to the drawing.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a semiconductor device according to anembodiment of the present invention may include a substrate 30, astacked structure ST located on the substrate 30 having conductivelayers 31 and insulating layers 32 formed alternately with each other,semiconductor patterns 34 passing through the stacked structure ST, acoupling pattern 37 coupled to semiconductor patterns 34, and the slitSL.

The semiconductor patterns 34 may be channel layers of transistors, forexample, channel layers of selection transistors and memory celltransistors. Insulating layers 35 may be formed in open central portionsof the semiconductor patterns 34.

The coupling pattern 37 may be located between the stacked structure STand the substrate 30 and be coupled to lower portions of thesemiconductor patterns 34. The coupling pattern 37 may include ahorizontal portion 37B coupled to the lower portions of thesemiconductor patterns 34 and vertical portions 37A protruding from thehorizontal portion 37B. The vertical portion 37A may protrude from a topsurface and a bottom surface of the horizontal portion 37B. The couplingpattern 37 may contact the substrate 30, and the vertical portion 37Amay partially protrude into the substrate 30.

The slit SL may be located between the semiconductor patterns 34 andpass through the stacked structure ST and the horizontal portions 37B ofthe coupling pattern 37. The slit SL may pass through the substrate 30to a predetermined depth.

The semiconductor device may further include a protective layer 38formed over the coupling pattern 37. The protective layer 38 may contacta top surface of the coupling pattern 37 and include a differentmaterial from the coupling pattern 37. The semiconductor device mayinclude an insulating layer 39, which surrounds the coupling pattern 37and the protective layer 38, and is interposed between the substrate 30and the stacked structure ST. For example, the insulating layer 39 mayinclude an oxide layer. The semiconductor device may further includemultilayer dielectric layers 33 surrounding sidewalls of thesemiconductor patterns 34, and dielectric patterns 36 surrounding thefirst conductive layers 31.

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, thesemiconductor patterns 34 may be channel layers, and the couplingpattern 37 may be a source layer. In such case, source resistance of thememory string may be reduced and a cell current may be improved byforming the source layer with a metal layer such as a silicide layer.

FIGS. 3B to 3E are cross-sectional views illustrating a semiconductordevice according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 3Bto 3E, the coupling pattern 37 may be a first source layer S1.Hereinafter, a description placing focus on features illustrated by thedrawings will be made with reference to the drawings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3B to 3E, the semiconductor device may furtherinclude a second source layer 41 surrounding the coupling pattern 37 andan insulating layer 40 interposed between the second source layer 41 andthe substrate 30. The second source layer 41 may include a differentmaterial from the coupling pattern 37. For example, the coupling pattern37 may include a metal layer with a silicide material. The second sourcelayer 41 may include polysilicon.

The second source layer 41 may surround at least a portion of thecoupling pattern 37. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the secondsource layer 41 may surround the top surface and sidewalls of thecoupling pattern 37, and the insulating layer 40 may surround a bottomsurface of the coupling pattern 37. In another example, as illustratedin FIGS. 3C to 3E, the second source layer 41 may surround an entiresurface of the coupling pattern 37, and the insulating layer 40 may beinterposed between the second source layer 41 and the substrate 30.

The slit SL may pass through the stacked structure ST and the couplingpattern 37. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the slit SL may passthrough the second source layer 41 and the coupling pattern 37 and beextended to the insulating layer 40. In another example, as illustratedin FIGS. 3C to 3E, the slit SL may be extended into the second sourcelayer 41 by a predetermined depth.

As illustrated in FIG. 3D, the semiconductor device according to anembodiment may further include a third source layer 42 located under thesecond source layer 41. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3E, thesemiconductor device may further include a fourth source layer 43 underthe third source layer 42. The third source layer 42 may include a metallayer, and the fourth source layer 43 may include a polysilicon layer.

Illustrated in FIG. 3F is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductordevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3F, the semiconductor device may include a cellarray CA and a peripheral circuit PC located under the cell array CA.The cell array CA may include the stacked structure and thesemiconductor patterns of the earlier-described embodiments.

The peripheral circuit PC may include transistors Tr, capacitors,registers and the like in order to drive the cell array CA. An isolationlayer 45 may be located in a field region of the substrate 30, and anactive region may be defined by the isolation layer 45. Each of thetransistors Tr may include a gate insulating layer 42 and a gateelectrode 43 formed in the active region of the substrate 30. Junctions44 may be formed at both sides of the gate electrode 43 in the substrate30.

The semiconductor device may include contact plugs and metal linescoupling the cell array CA and the peripheral circuit PC to each other.The peripheral circuit PC may be coupled to the cell array CA through a1-1^(st) contact pug CP11, a first metal line L1, a 2-1^(st) contactplug CP21, a second metal line L2, a 3-1^(st) contact plug CP31, a thirdmetal line L3 and a fourth contact plug CP4. Thus, the junction 44 ofthe transistor Tr located in the peripheral circuit PC may be coupled tothe channel layer 34 of the cell array CA.

In addition, the peripheral circuit PC may be coupled to the cell arrayCA through 1-2^(nd) contact plugs CP12, first metal lines L1, 2-2^(nd)contact plugs CP22, second metal lines L2 and 3-2^(nd) contact plugsCP32. Therefore, the junctions 44 of the transistors Tr located in theperipheral circuit PC may be coupled to source layers 37, 41 and 42 ofthe cell array CA.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are layout views illustrating the semiconductor devicedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3F. For the sake ofillustration, FIGS. 4A to 4D show only the locations of thesemiconductor patterns 34, the coupling patterns 37, and the slits SL ofthe semiconductor device.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the first semiconductor patterns 34may be arranged in the first direction I-I′ and the second directionII-II′ crossing the first direction I-I′. The semiconductor patterns 34may be arranged in a matrix pattern or offset from each other. When thesemiconductor patterns 34 arranged in the second direction II-II′ aredefined as a single column, eight or more columns may be located in onememory block MB of the semiconductor device. The columns may be arrangedat regular intervals or irregular intervals.

The coupling patterns 37 may be arranged in a form of line patternsextending in the second direction II-II′ and having protrusions formedon sidewalls thereof. For example, when the semiconductor patterns 34arranged in the second direction II-II′ are defined as a single column,at least two columns may share one coupling pattern 37.

The slits SL, SL1 and SL2 may extend in the second direction II-II′. Theslits SL, SL1 and SL2 may be located between the coupling patterns 37,and contact the coupling patterns 37. For example, the slits SL, SL1 andSL2 may contact the protrusions of the coupling patterns 37. Inaddition, some of the slits SL, SL1 and SL2 may be located at theboundary of the memory blocks MB.

FIG. 4A shows an example in which four coupling patterns 37 are arrangedin the form of line patterns in one memory block MB and each of linepatterns of the coupling patterns 37 includes protrusions formed on bothsidewalls thereof. The semiconductor patterns 34 may be arranged andseparated for every two columns. In other words, first and secondcolumns may be adjacent to each other, third and fourth columns may beadjacent to each other, and the second and third columns may beseparated from each other. Each of the coupling patterns 37 may surroundthe adjacent two columns of the semiconductor patterns 34 in its linepattern. The slits SL may contact the protrusions of the couplingpatterns 37.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example in which four coupling patterns 37 of theline patterns, each including protrusions formed on one of the sidewallsthereof, are located in one memory block MB. The first slits SL1 locatedbetween the neighbouring coupling patterns 37 may contact theprotrusions of the neighbouring coupling patterns 37. Therefore, thefirst slit SL1 may symmetrically contact the neighbouring two couplingpatterns 37 on both sides.

The second slits SL2 may be located between the coupling patterns 37 andseparated from the coupling patterns 37, or may be located at theboundary of the memory block MB. The first slits SL1 and the secondslits SL2 may be formed by separate processes. For example, after thesecond slits SL2 are formed, insulating layers may be formed in thesecond slits SL2. Subsequently, the first slits SL1 may be formed. Theinsulating layer formed in the second slit SL2 may function as a supportbody during subsequent processes of forming the first slits SL1.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example in which two coupling patterns 37 of theline patterns, each including protrusions formed on both of thesidewalls thereof, are located in one memory block MB. The semiconductorpatterns 34 may be separated every four columns. In other words, firstto fourth columns may be located adjacent to each other, fifth to eighthcolumns may be located adjacent to each other, and the fourth and fifthcolumns may be separated from each other. Each of the coupling patterns37 may surround the adjacent four columns of the semiconductor patterns34 in its line pattern. The slits SL may contact the protrusions of thecoupling patterns 37.

FIG. 4D illustrates an example in which four coupling patterns 37 of theline patterns, each including protrusions formed on one of the sidewallsthereof, are located in one memory block MB. The slit SL located at theboundary between the first memory block MB1 and the second memory blockMB2 may contact the protrusions of the coupling pattern 37 of the firstmemory block MB1 and the protrusions of the coupling pattern 37 of thesecond memory block MB2.

FIGS. 5A to 5E are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, first material layers 51 and second materiallayers 52 may be formed alternately with each other to form a firststacked structure ST1. The first material layers 51 may be stacked toform gate conductive layers, and the second material layers 52 may bestacked to form insulating layers that electrically insulate the stackedconductive layers from each other. The uppermost second material layer52 may have a greater thickness than other second material layers 52.

The first material layers 51 may include a material having a high etchselectivity with respect to the second material layers 52. For example,the first material layers 51 may include a sacrificial layer including anitride, and the second material layers 52 may include an insulatinglayer including an oxide. In another example, the first material layers51 may include a conductive layer including doped polysilicon, dopedamorphous silicon or the like, and the second material layers 52 mayinclude a sacrificial layer including undoped polysilicon, undopedamorphous silicon or the like. In this embodiment, a description will begiven of an example where the first material layers 51 includesacrificial layers and the second material layers 52 include insulatinglayers.

Subsequently, first openings OP1 may be formed through the first stackedstructure ST1. The first openings OP1 may include various cross sectionssuch as circular, elliptical and polygonal sections. The first openingsOP1 may be arranged in a matrix pattern or a zigzag pattern.

Subsequently, a first multilayer dielectric layer 53 may be formed on aninner wall of each of the first openings OP1, and a first semiconductorlayer 54A may be formed on the first multilayer dielectric layer 53.Before the first multilayer dielectric layer 53 is formed, a bufferlayer (not illustrated) may be further formed in each of the firstopenings OP1. The buffer layer may prevent the first multilayerdielectric layer 53 from being damaged during subsequent processes, andinclude an oxide.

After the first insulating layer 55 is formed in an open central portionof the first semiconductor layer 54A, the first insulating layer 55 maybe etched to a predetermined depth. When the first insulating layer 55is etched to the predetermined depth, the first multilayer dielectriclayer 53 may also be etched. Subsequently, a first semiconductor plug54B may be formed in a region where the first insulating layer 55 andthe first multilayer dielectric layer 53 are etched. As a result, afirst semiconductor pattern 54 may be formed.

Subsequently, a sacrificial pattern 56 may be formed over the firststacked structure ST1. The sacrificial pattern 56 may be used to form acoupling pattern through subsequent processes and overlap at least twofirst openings OP1. A protective pattern 57 may be formed over thesacrificial pattern 56. For example, after a sacrificial layer and aprotective layer are formed over the first stacked structure ST1, thesacrificial pattern 56 and the protective pattern 57 may be formed bypatterning the sacrificial layer and the protective layer. Theprotective pattern 57 may include a material having a high etchselectivity with respect to the sacrificial pattern 56. For example, thesacrificial pattern 56 may include a titanium nitride layer (TiN), andthe protective pattern 57 may include a doped polysilicon layer or anundoped polysilicon layer.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, after a third insulating layer 58 is formedover the first stacked structure ST1, the third insulating layer 58 maybe planarized to expose a top surface of the protective pattern 57.Subsequently, third material layers 59 and fourth material layers 60 maybe formed alternately with each other to form a second stacked structureST2. The third material layers 59 may correspond to the above-describedfirst material layers 51, and the fourth material layers 60 maycorrespond to the above-described second material layers 52.

Subsequently, second openings OP2 may be formed through the secondstacked structure ST2 and the protective pattern 57. The second openingsOP2 may be deep enough to expose the sacrificial pattern 56 and includevarious cross sections such as circular, elliptical and polygonalsections. The second openings OP2 may be formed at positionscorresponding to the first openings OP1. In another example, the secondopenings OP2 may be formed through the sacrificial pattern 56 andextended into the first semiconductor patterns 54 to a predetermineddepth by etching. Subsequently, the sacrificial pattern 56 may beremoved through the second openings OP2 to form a third opening OP3.

As illustrated in FIG. 5C, a second multilayer dielectric layer 61 maybe formed in the second and third openings OP2 and OP3. The thirdopening OP3 may be completely filled with the second multilayerdielectric layer 61 and the second multilayer dielectric layer 61 may beformed on inner walls of the second openings OP2. Before the secondmultilayer dielectric layers 61 are formed, buffer layers (notillustrated) may be further formed in the second openings OP2. Thebuffer layer may include an oxide and prevent the second multilayerdielectric layer 61 from being damaged during subsequent processes.

After a second semiconductor layer 62A is formed in each of the secondopenings OP2, a second insulating layer 63 may be formed in a centralregion of the second semiconductor layer 62A. Next, the secondinsulating layer 63 may be etched to a predetermined depth to form asecond semiconductor plug 62B. As a result, a second semiconductorpattern 62 may be formed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5D, the slit SL may be formed through the secondstacked structure ST2, the third opening OP3, the protective pattern 57and the first stacked structure ST1. The slit SL may be located betweenthe second openings OP2 connected to the third opening OP3.

Subsequently, the first and third material layers 51 and 59 may beremoved through the slit SL to form fourth openings OP4, through whichthe multilayer dielectric layers 53 and 61 are exposed, and the secondmultilayer dielectric layer 61 exposed through the slit SL may beremoved to form fifth openings OP5. When buffer layers are formed in thesecond openings OP2, the buffer layers may be removed after the firstand third material layers 51 and 59 are removed, so that the fourthopenings OP4 may be formed. The fourth openings OP4 and the fifthopenings OP5 may be formed simultaneously or separately.

As illustrated in FIG. 5E, coupling patterns 64 may be formed in thefifth opening OP5. For example, the coupling pattern 64 may be grownfrom the first semiconductor pattern 54 or the protective pattern 57 byusing an epitaxial growth process. The coupling pattern 64 may include aconductive material such as a metal silicide layer. Subsequently,conductive layers 66 may be formed in the fourth openings OP4. Beforethe conductive layers 66 are formed, dielectric patterns 65 may befurther formed in the fourth openings OP4.

According to the earlier-described processes, the second semiconductorpatterns 62 may be formed after the first semiconductor patterns 54 areformed, and the first semiconductor patterns 54 and the secondsemiconductor patterns 62 may be coupled by the coupling pattern 64.Therefore, when strings arranged in a vertical direction are formedusing these processes, a channel layer having a high aspect ratio may beformed. In addition, deterioration in cell current may be prevented byremoving the interface between the first semiconductor pattern 54 andthe second semiconductor pattern 62 or by coupling the firstsemiconductor pattern 54 and the second semiconductor pattern 62 byusing a conductive layer.

FIGS. 6A to 6E are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. A description focused on features illustrated by thedrawings will now be made.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, a sacrificial pattern 71 may be formed over asubstrate 70, and an insulating layer 72 may cover the sacrificialpattern 71. Though not illustrated in FIG. 6A, a protective pattern mayalso be formed over the sacrificial pattern 71.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the stacked structure ST that includes firstmaterial layers 73 and second material layers 74 may be formed. Thefirst material layers 73 and the second material layers may bealternately formed over the insulating layer 72. Subsequently, thesecond openings OP2 passing through the stacked structure ST and thesacrificial pattern 71 may be formed. The second openings OP2 may bedeep enough to expose the substrate 70. The substrate 70 may be etchedto a predetermined depth to form grooves therein. Subsequently, thesacrificial pattern 71 exposed through the second openings OP2 may beremoved to form the third opening OP3.

As illustrated in FIG. 6C, multilayer dielectric layers 75 may be formedin the second and third openings OP2 and OP3. The third opening OP3 maybe completely filled with the multilayer dielectric layer 75, and themultilayer dielectric layers 75 may be formed on inner walls of thesecond openings OP2. Subsequently, a semiconductor layer 76A may beformed in each of the second openings OP2, and an insulating layer 77may be formed in a central region of the semiconductor layer 76A.Subsequently, the insulating layer 77 may be etched to a predetermineddepth. When the insulating layer 77 is etched to the predetermineddepth, the multilayer dielectric layer 75 may also be etched.Subsequently, a semiconductor plug 76B may be formed in a region wherethe insulating layer 77 and the multilayer dielectric layer 75 areetched. As a result, semiconductor patterns 76 may be formed. Before themultilayer dielectric layer 75 is formed, a buffer layer (notillustrated) may be further formed in each of the second openings OP2.The buffer layer may include an oxide and prevent the multilayerdielectric layer 75 from being damaged during subsequent processes.

As illustrated in FIG. 6D, the slit SL may be formed through the stackedstructure ST and the second opening OP2. The slit SL may be deep enoughto expose the substrate 70.

Subsequently, the first material layers 73 may be removed through theslit SL to form the fourth openings OP4 through which the multilayerdielectric layer 75 is exposed. When buffer layers are formed in thesecond openings OP2, the buffer layers may be removed after the firstmaterial layers 73 are removed, so that the fourth openings OP4 may beformed. The multilayer dielectric layer 75 exposed through the slit SLmay be removed to form the fifth opening OP5. The fourth openings OP4and the fifth openings OP5 may be formed simultaneously or separately.

As illustrated in FIG. 6E, a coupling pattern 78 may be formed in thefifth opening OP5. The coupling pattern 78 may be a metal silicidelayer. Conductive layers 80 may be formed in the fourth openings OP4.Before the conductive layers 80 are formed, dielectric patterns 79 maybe additionally formed in the fourth openings OP4.

According to the above-described processes, the coupling pattern 78 thatsurrounds lower portions of the semiconductor patterns 76 may be easilyformed. Since the coupling pattern 78 is formed by partially removingthe multilayer dielectric layer 75, a channel layer and a source layermay be easily coupled to each other without damaging the multilayerdielectric layer 75 in a memory cell region. Therefore, deterioration incharacteristics of the semiconductor device may be prevented.

FIGS. 7A to 7D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 7A is a view enlarging regions A1 shown in FIGS.5C and 6C. FIGS. 7B and 7C are views enlarging regions A2 of FIGS. 5Dand 6D. FIG. 7D is a view enlarging regions A3 of FIGS. 5E and 6E. FIGS.7A to 7D show reference characters of both FIGS. 5C to 5E and FIGS. 6Cto 6E for illustrative purposes.

FIGS. 7A to 7D show the embodiments of both FIGS. 5C to 5E and 6C to 6E,where the second opening OP2 is deep enough to expose the sacrificialpattern 56 (71) and is not extended to the underlying semiconductorpattern 54 (substrate 70). As described above with reference to FIG. 1A,each of the multilayer dielectric layers 61 (75) may include one or moreof the charge blocking layer 61A (75A), the data storage layer 61B (75B)and the tunnel insulating layer 61C (75C). The data storage layer 61B(75B) may include the charge trap layer such as a nitride layer, apolysilicon layer, nanodots, and a phase-change material layer. In theembodiments, the thickness W1 of the third opening OP3, or thehorizontal portion 17B of the coupling pattern 17, may be more thantwice as much as the sum of thicknesses of the charge blocking layer 61A(75A) and the data storage layer 61B (75B), and less than twice as muchas the sum of thicknesses of the charge blocking layer 61A (75A), thedata storage layer 61B (75B) and the tunnel insulating layer 61C (75C).

As illustrated in FIGS. 5C, 6C and 7A, the multilayer dielectric layer61 (75), the semiconductor pattern 62 (76) and the insulating layer 63(77) may be formed in the second and third openings OP2 and OP3. Themultilayer dielectric layer 61 (75) may include the charge blockinglayer 61A (75A), the data storage layer 61B (75B), and the tunnelinsulating layer 61C (75C). The charge blocking layer 61A (75A), thedata storage layer 61B (75B), and the tunnel insulating layer 61C (75C)may be formed in the third opening OP3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5D, 6D and 7B, the fourth openings OP4 may beformed by removing the first material layers 51 (73) and the thirdmaterial layers 59. At this time, a portion of the multilayer dielectriclayer 61 (75) formed in the third opening OP3 may also be removed. Forexample, when the first and third material layers 51, 59 and 73 includenitride layers, the data storage layer 61B (75B) may also be removed.

At this time, the data storage layer 61B (75B) is removed in ahorizontal direction and a vertical direction (directions of arrow shownin FIG. 7B) from the slit SL. Part of the data storage layer 61B (75B),which is adjacent to the slit SL, may firstly start to be removed. Inother words, the data storage layer 61B (75B) may be removedasymmetrically about the semiconductor pattern 62 (76). As a result, a5-1^(st) opening OP5-1 may be formed. The size of the 5-1^(st) openingOP5-1 may vary depending on the amount of time for removing the datastorage layer 61B (75B).

As illustrated in FIGS. 5D, 6D and 7C, part of the charge blocking layer61A (75A) and the tunnel insulating layer 61C (75C), which are exposedthrough the 5-1^(st) opening OP5-1, may be removed. For example, in acase where buffer layers are formed in the second openings OP2, thecharge blocking layer 61A (75A) and the tunnel insulating layer 61C(75C) may also be removed while the buffer layers exposed through thefourth openings OP4 are removed. As a result, without an additionalprocess, a 5-2^(nd) opening OP5-2 may be naturally formed when thefourth openings OP4 are formed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5E, 6E and 7D, the coupling pattern 64 (78) maybe formed in the 5-2^(nd) opening OP5-2. For example, after a siliconlayer is selectively grown from the protective pattern 57, thesemiconductor pattern 54, or the substrate 70, the silicon layer may besilicided using a metal layer, so that the coupling pattern 64 (78)including metal silicide may be formed. As a result, the couplingpattern 64 (78) that includes the horizontal portion coupled to thelower portions of the semiconductor patterns 62 (76) and the verticalportions protruding from the horizontal portion and surrounding thesidewalls of the semiconductor patterns 62 (76) may be formed. Asdescribed above, when the coupling pattern 64 (78) is formed by growinga silicon layer, interface characteristics between the coupling pattern64 (78) and the semiconductor pattern 62 (76) may be improved.

The shape of the coupling pattern 64 (78) may vary depending on depth ofthe second opening OP2, and the amount removed of the multilayerdielectric layer 61 (75). According to this embodiment, the verticalportion of the coupling pattern 64 (78) may asymmetrically surround thesidewall of the semiconductor pattern 62 (76).

FIGS. 8A to 8D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 8A is a view enlarging regions A1 shown in FIGS.5C and 6C. FIGS. 8B and 8C are views enlarging regions A2 of FIGS. 5Dand 6D. FIG. 8D is a view enlarging regions A3 of FIGS. 5E and 6E.Hereinafter, a description placing focus on features illustrated by thedrawings will be made.

FIGS. 8A to 8D show the embodiments of both FIGS. 5C to 5E and 6C to 6E,where the second opening OP2 passes through the sacrificial pattern 56(71) and is extended to the underlying semiconductor pattern 54 (thesubstrate 70). In the embodiment, as described above with reference toFIGS. 7A to 7D, the thickness W1 of the third opening OP3 may be morethan twice as much as the sum of thicknesses of the charge blockinglayer 61A (75A) and the data storage layer 61B (75B), and less thantwice as much as the sum of thicknesses of the charge blocking layer 61A(75A), the data storage layer 61B (75B) and the tunnel insulating layer61C (75C).

As illustrated in FIGS. 5C, 6C and 8A, the multilayer dielectric layer61 (75), the semiconductor pattern 62 (76) and the insulating layer 63(77) may be formed in the second and third openings OP2 and OP3. Thecharge blocking layer 61A (75A), the data storage layer 61B (75B) andthe tunnel insulating layer 61C (75C) may be formed in the third openingOP3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5D, 6D and 8B, the fourth openings OP4 may beformed by removing the first material layers 51 (73) and the thirdmaterial layers 59. A portion of the multilayer dielectric layer 61 (75)formed in the third opening OP3 may also be removed. As a result, the5-1^(st) opening OP5-1 may be formed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5D, 6D and 8C, part of the charge blocking layer61A (75A) and the tunnel insulating layer 61C (75C), which are exposedthrough the 5-1^(st) opening OP5-1, may be removed. For example, in acase where buffer layers are formed in the second openings OP2, thecharge blocking layer 61A (75A) and the tunnel insulating layer 61C(75C) may also be removed while the buffer layers exposed through thefourth openings OP4 are removed. As a result, without an additionalprocess, the 5-2^(nd) opening OP5-2 may be naturally formed when thefourth openings OP4 are formed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5E, 6E and 8D, the coupling pattern 64 (78) maybe formed in the 5-2^(nd) opening OP5-2. As a result, the couplingpattern 64 (78) that includes the horizontal portion coupled to thelower portions of the semiconductor patterns 62 (76) and the verticalportions protruding from the horizontal portion and surrounding thesidewalls of the semiconductor patterns 62 (76) may be formed. Accordingto this embodiment, the vertical portion of the coupling pattern 64 (78)may asymmetrically surround the sidewall of the semiconductor pattern 62(76).

FIGS. 9A to 9D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 9A is a view enlarging regions A1 shown in FIGS.5C and 6C. FIGS. 9B and 9C are views enlarging regions A2 of FIGS. 5Dand 6D. FIG. 9D is a view enlarging regions A3 of FIGS. 5E and 6E.Hereinafter, a description placing focus on features illustrated by thedrawings will be made.

FIGS. 9A to 9D show the embodiments of both FIGS. 5C to 5E and 6C to 6E,where the second opening OP2 passes through the sacrificial pattern 56(71) and is extended to the underlying semiconductor pattern 54 (thesubstrate 70), and each of the multilayer dielectric layers 61 (75)include one or more of the charge blocking layer 61A (75A), the datastorage layer 61B (75B) and the tunnel insulating layer 61C (75C). Inthe embodiments, as described above with reference to FIG. 1A, thethickness W1 of the third opening OP3 may be more than twice as much asthe thickness of the charge blocking layer 61A (75A) and less than twiceas much as the sum of thickness of the charge blocking layer 61A (75A)and the data storage layer 61B (75B).

As illustrated in FIGS. 5C, 6C, and 9A, the multilayer dielectric layer61 (75), the semiconductor pattern 62 (76) and the insulating layer 63(77) may be formed in the second and third openings OP2 and OP3. At thistime, the charge blocking layer 61A (75A) and the data storage layer 61B(75B) may be formed in the third opening OP3. In other words, in thethird opening OP3, the data storage layer 61B (75B) may be formed with arelatively greater thickness without formation of the tunnel insulatinglayer 61C (75C). The data storage layer 61B (75B) formed in the thirdopening OP3 may include a seam (dotted line shown in FIG. 9A) therein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5D, 6D and 9B, the fourth openings OP4 may beformed by removing the first material layers 51 (73) and the thirdmaterial layers 59. At this time, the data storage layer 61B (75B)formed in the third opening OP3 may also be removed. As a result, the5-1^(st) opening OP5-1 may be formed. In this embodiment, since the datastorage layer 61B (75B) includes the seam therein, the data storagelayer 61B (75B) formed in the third opening OP3 may be promptly removedby an etchant flowing along the seam. On the other hand, the datastorage layer 61B (75B) formed in the second opening OP2 may be removedrelatively slowly. Therefore, the data storage layer 61B (75B) may beremoved at a uniform height about the semiconductor pattern 62 (76).

As illustrated in FIGS. 5D, 6D and 9C, part of the charge blocking layer61A (75A) and the tunnel insulating layer 61C (75C), which are exposedthrough the 5-1^(st) opening OP5-1, may be removed. For example, in acase where buffer layers are formed in the second openings OP2, thecharge blocking layer 61A (75A) and the tunnel insulating layer 61C(75C) may also be removed while the buffer layers exposed through thefourth openings OP4 are removed. Therefore, without an additionalprocess, the 5-2^(nd) opening OP5-2 may be naturally formed when thefourth openings OP4 are formed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5E, 6E and 9D, the coupling pattern 64 (78) maybe formed in the 5-2^(nd) opening OP5-2. As a result, the couplingpattern 64 (78) that includes the horizontal portion coupled to thelower portions of the semiconductor patterns 62 (76) and the verticalportions protruding from the horizontal portion and surrounding thesidewalls of the semiconductor patterns 62 (76) may be formed. Accordingto this embodiment, the vertical portion of the coupling pattern 64 (78)may symmetrically surround the sidewall of the semiconductor pattern 62(76).

FIGS. 10A to 10D are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. For example, FIGS. 10A to 10D show a method ofmanufacturing semiconductor patterns 54, 62 and 76 includingsemiconductor layers 54A, 62A and 76A, and semiconductor plugs 54B, 62Band 76B described above with reference to FIGS. 5A to 6E.

As illustrated in FIG. 10A, an opening OP may be formed through astacked structure 91, and a multilayer dielectric layer 92 may be formedalong an inner surface of the opening OP. The multilayer dielectriclayer 92 may include a charge blocking layer 92A, a data storage layer92B and a tunnel insulating layer 92C. Subsequently, a semiconductorlayer 93A may be formed on the multilayer dielectric layer 92, and aninsulating layer 94 may be formed in the opening OP.

As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the insulating layer 94 may be etched to apredetermined depth. The tunnel insulating layer 92C formed on the topof the multilayer dielectric layer 92 may also be etched. However, theinsulating layer 94 and the tunnel insulating layer 92C may be etched todifferent depths depending on an etch selectivity therebetween. Forexample, the insulating layer 94 may be etched to a greater depth thanthe tunnel insulating layer 92C. As a result, a portion of the datastorage layer 92B may be exposed.

As illustrated in FIG. 10C, the exposed portion of the data storagelayer 92B may be selectively etched. The exposed portion of the datastorage layer 92B may be etched so that a top surface of the datastorage layer 92B and a top surface of the tunnel insulating layer 92Cmay have different heights. For example, the exposed portion of the datastorage layer 92B may be etched so that the top surface of the datastorage layer 92B may be lower or higher than the tunnel insulatinglayer 92C. In this example, top surfaces of the insulating layer 94, thesemiconductor layer 93A, the tunnel insulating layer 92C, the datastorage layer 92B and the charge blocking layer 92A may be stepped, andthe semiconductor layer 93A may protrude the most.

As illustrated in FIG. 10D, after a semiconductor layer is formed overthe entire intermediate resultant structure, the semiconductor layer maybe planarized until a top surface of the stacked structure 91 isexposed, so that a semiconductor plug 93B may be formed. As a result, asemiconductor pattern 94 that includes the insulating layer 94 passingthrough the stacked structure 91, the semiconductor plug 93B formed overthe insulating layer 94, and the semiconductor layer 93A surrounding asidewall of the insulating layer 94 and passing through thesemiconductor plug 93B may be formed.

The above-described processes may be applied to form theearlier-described semiconductor plugs 54B, 62B and 76B. As describedabove, after the multilayer dielectric layer 92 is etched in stages, thesemiconductor plug 93B may be formed. Therefore, it may be easier toform the semiconductor plug 93B. In addition, when the coupling patternand the semiconductor pattern are formed over the semiconductor plug93B, the semiconductor plug 93B may function as an etch stop layer toprevent neighboring layers from being damaged.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a memory system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 11 , a memory system 1000 according to anembodiment of the present invention may include a memory device 1200 anda controller 1100.

The memory device 1200 may be used to store various data types such astext, graphic and software code. The memory device 1200 may be anon-volatile memory and include the memory string described above withreference to FIGS. 1A to 10D. The memory device 1200 may include a firststacked structure including first conductive layers and first insulatinglayers formed alternately with each other, first semiconductor patternspassing through the first stacked structure, a coupling pattern coupledto the first semiconductor patterns, and a slit passing through thefirst stacked structure and the coupling pattern. Since the memorydevice 1200 is formed and manufactured in the above-described manner, adetailed description thereof will be omitted.

The controller 1100 may be coupled to a host and the memory device 1200,and may access the memory device 1200 in response to a request from thehost. For example, the controller 1100 may control read, write, eraseand background operations of the memory device 1200.

The controller 1100 may include a random access memory (RAM) 1110, acentral processing unit (CPU) 1120, a host interface 1130, an errorcorrection code (ECC) circuit 1140 and a memory interface 1150.

The RAM 1110 may function as an operation memory of the CPU 1120, acache memory between the memory device 1200 and the host, and a buffermemory between the memory device 1200 and the host. The RAM 1110 may bereplaced by a static random access memory (SRAM) or a read only memory(ROM).

The host interface 1130 may interface with the host. For example, thecontroller 1100 may communicate with the host through one of variousinterface protocols including a Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, amultimedia card (MMC) protocol, a peripheral component interconnection(PCI) protocol, a PCI-express (PCI-E) protocol, an Advanced TechnologyAttachment (ATA) protocol, a Serial-ATA protocol, a Parallel-ATAprotocol, a small computer small interface (SCSI) protocol, an enhancedsmall disk interface (ESDI) protocol, an Integrated Drive Electronics(IDE) protocol and a private protocol.

The ECC circuit 1140 may detect and correct errors included in data readfrom the memory device 1200 by using error correction codes (ECCs).

The memory interface 1150 may interface with the memory device 1200. Forexample, the memory interface 1150 may include a NAND interface or a NORinterface.

For example, the controller 1100 may further include a buffer memory(not illustrated) configured to temporarily store data. The buffermemory may temporarily store data externally transferred through thehost interface 1130, or temporarily store data transferred from thememory device 1200 through the memory interface 1150. The controller1100 may further include ROM storing code data to interface with thehost.

Since the memory system 1000 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention includes the memory device 1200 having improvedcharacteristics of, for example improved cell current characteristics,characteristics of the overall memory system 1000 may be improved.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a memory system according to anembodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a description ofcommon contents with the earlier described embodiment is omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 , a memory system 1000′ according to anembodiment of the present invention may include a memory device 1200′and the controller 1100. The controller 1100 may include the RAM 1110,the CPU 1120, the host interface 1130, the ECC circuit 1140 and thememory interface 1150.

The memory device 1200′ may be a non-volatile memory device. The memorydevice 1200′ may be the semiconductor device described above withreference to FIGS. 1A to 10D. The memory device 1200′ may include afirst stacked structure including first conductive layers and firstinsulating layers formed alternately with each other, firstsemiconductor patterns passing through the first stacked structure, acoupling pattern coupled to the first semiconductor patterns, and a slitpassing through the first stacked structure and the coupling pattern.Since the memory device 1200′ is formed and manufactured in theabove-described manufacturing method, a detailed description thereofwill be omitted.

The memory device 1200′ may be a multi-chip package composed of aplurality of memory chips. The plurality of memory chips may be dividedinto a plurality of groups. The plurality of groups may communicate withthe controller 1100 through first to k-th channels CH1 to CHk. Inaddition, memory chips, included in a single group, may be suitable forcommunicating with the controller 1100 through a common channel. Thememory system 1000′ may be modified so that a single memory chip may becoupled to a single channel.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention,since the memory system 1000′ includes the memory device 1200′ havingimproved characteristics of, improved cell current characteristics forexample, characteristics of the overall memory system 1000′ may also beimproved. In addition, data storage capacity and driving speed of thememory system 1000′ may be further increased by forming the memorydevice 1200′ using a multi-chip package.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, adescription of common contents with the earlier described embodiments isomitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 , a computing system 2000 according to anembodiment of the present invention may include a memory device 2100, aCPU 2200, a random-access memory (RAM) 2300, a user interface 2400, apower supply 2500 and a system bus 2600.

The memory device 2100 may store data, which is input through the userinterface 2400, and data, which is processed by the CPU 2200. The memorydevice 2100 may be electrically coupled to the CPU 2200, the RAM 2300,the user interface 2400 and the power supply 2500. For example, thememory device 2100 may be coupled to the system bus 2600 through acontroller (not illustrated) or be directly coupled to the system bus2600. When the memory device 2100 is directly coupled to the system bus2600, functions of the controller may be performed by the CPU 2200 andthe RAM 2300.

The memory device 2100 may be non-volatile memory. The memory device2100 may be the semiconductor memory device described above withreference to FIGS. 1A to 10D. The memory device 2100 may include a firststacked structure including first conductive layers and first insulatinglayers formed alternately with each other, first semiconductor patternspassing through the first stacked structure, a coupling pattern coupledto the first semiconductor patterns, and a slit passing through thefirst stacked structure and the coupling pattern. Since the memorydevice 2100 is formed and manufactured in the above-described manner, adetailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, as described above with reference to FIG. 12 , the memorydevice 2100 may be a multi-chip package composed of a plurality ofmemory chips.

The computing system 2000 having the above-described configuration maybe one of various components of an electronic device, such as acomputer, an ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), a workstation, a net-book, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), a portable computer, a web tablet, a wirelessphone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, an e-book, a portable multimediaplayer (PMP), a portable game machine, a navigation device, a black box,a digital camera, a three-dimensional (3D) television, a digital audiorecorder, a digital audio player, a digital picture recorder, a digitalpicture player, a digital video recorder, a digital video player, adevice for transmitting/receiving information in wireless environment,one of various electronic devices for home network, one of variouselectronic devices for computer network, one of various electronicdevices for telematics network, an RFID device, and/or one of variousdevices for computing systems, etc.

As described above, since the computing system 2000 according to anembodiment of the present invention includes the memory device 2100having improved characteristics of, for example, cell current,characteristics of the computing system 2000 as a whole may beincreased.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a computing system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 , a computing system 3000 according to anembodiment of the present invention may include a software layer thathas an operating system 3200, an application 3100, a file system 3300and a translation layer 3400. The computing system 3000 may include ahardware layer such as a memory system 3500.

The operating system 3200 manages software and hardware resources of thecomputing system 3000. The operating system 3200 may control programexecution of a central processing unit. The application 3100 may includevarious application programs executed by the computing system 3000. Theapplication 3100 may be a utility executed by the operating system 3200.

The file system 3300 may refer to a logical structure configured tomanage data and files present in the computing system 3000. The filesystem 3300 may organize files or data to be stored in the memory device3500 according to rules. The file system 3300 may be determineddepending on the operating system 3200 that is used in the computingsystem 3000. For example, when the operating system 3200 is a MicrosoftWindows-based system, the file system 3300 may be a file allocationtable (FAT) or an NT file system (NTFS). In addition, when the operatingsystem 3200 is a Unix/Linux-based system, the file system 3300 may be anextended file system (EXT), a Unix file system (UFS) or a journalingfile system (JFS).

FIG. 14 illustrates the operating system 3200, the application 3100, andthe file system 3300 in separate blocks. However, the application 3100and the file system 3300 may be included in the operating system 3200.

The translation layer 3400 may translate an address suitable for thememory device 3500 in response to a request from the file system 3300.For example, the translation layer 3400 may translate a logic address,generated by the file system 3300, into a physical address of the memorydevice 3500. Mapping information of the logic address and the physicaladdress may be stored in an address translation table. For example, thetranslation layer 3400 may be a flash translation layer (FTL), auniversal flash storage link layer (ULL) or the like.

The memory device 3500 may be a non-volatile memory. The memory device3500 may be the semiconductor memory device described above withreference to FIGS. 1A to 10D. The memory device 3500 may include a firststacked structure including first conductive layers and first insulatinglayers formed alternately with each other, first semiconductor patternspassing through the first stacked structure, a coupling pattern coupledto the first semiconductor patterns, and a slit passing through thefirst stacked structure and the coupling pattern. Since the memorydevice 3500 is formed and manufactured in the above-described manner, adetailed description thereof will be omitted.

The computing system 3000 having the above-described configuration maybe divided into an operating system layer that is operated in an upperlayer region and a controller layer that is operated in a lower levelregion. The application 3100, the operating system 3200, and the filesystem 3300 may be included in the operating system layer and driven byan operation memory. The translation layer 3400 may be included in theoperating system layer or the controller layer.

As described above, since the computing system 3000 according to anembodiment of the present invention includes the memory device 3500having improved characteristics, cell current, for example,characteristics of the entire computing system 3000 may be improved.

A semiconductor device may include a coupling pattern surrounding lowerportions of semiconductor patterns. Since the coupling pattern is formedin a region from which a multilayer dielectric layer is removed, thecoupling pattern may be easily formed without causing damage to themultilayer dielectric layer in a memory cell region. Accordingly,degradation of operating characteristics of memory cells may beprevented, and degradation of cell current may be prevented by solvinginterface issues.

While the present invention has been described with respect to thespecific embodiments, it should be noted that the embodiments are fordescribing, not limiting, the present invention. Further, it should benoted that the present invention may be achieved in various ways throughsubstitution, change, and modification, by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope of the present invention as defined bythe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device, comprising: a firststacked structure including first conductive layers and first insulatinglayers stacked alternately with the first conductive layers; a secondstacked structure including second conductive layers and secondinsulating layers stacked alternately with the second conductive layers,wherein the second stacked structure is located under the first stackedstructure; a third insulating layer between the first stacked structureand the second stacked structure; first semiconductor patterns passingthrough the first stacked structure; and second semiconductor patternspassing through the second stacked structure; wherein each of bottoms ofthe first semiconductor patterns is adjacent to the third insulatinglayer and has a first outer diameter, wherein each of tops of the secondsemiconductor patterns is adjacent to the third insulating layer and hasa second outer diameter, and wherein the first outer diameter is smallerthan the second outer diameter.
 2. The semiconductor device of claim 1,further comprising a coupling pattern disposed between adjacent firstand second semiconductor patterns among the first semiconductor patternsand the second semiconductor patterns.
 3. The semiconductor device ofclaim 2, wherein the coupling pattern and the adjacent first and secondsemiconductor patterns are connected to each other to form a channellayer.
 4. The semiconductor device of claim 2, wherein the couplingpattern is formed in the third insulating layer.
 5. The semiconductordevice of claim 2, wherein the coupling pattern includes a sidewallprotruding farther than a sidewall of each of the first and secondsemiconductor patterns in a lateral direction.
 6. The semiconductordevice of claim 1, further comprising multilayer dielectric layerssurrounding sidewalls of the first and second semiconductor patterns. 7.The semiconductor device of claim 6, wherein each of the multilayerdielectric layers includes a tunnel insulating layer, a data storagelayer and a charge blocking layer.
 8. A semiconductor device,comprising: a first stacked structure including first conductive layersand first insulating layers stacked alternately with the firstconductive layers; a second stacked structure including secondconductive layers and second insulating layers stacked alternately withthe second conductive layers, wherein the second stacked structure islocated under the first stacked structure; a third insulating layerbetween the first stacked structure and the second stacked structure;first semiconductor patterns passing through the first stackedstructure; and second semiconductor patterns passing through the secondstacked structure, wherein the first insulating layers include a lowerfirst insulating layer adjacent to the third insulating layer, whereinthe second insulating layers include an upper second insulating layeradjacent to the third insulating layer, and wherein the lower firstinsulating layer on a sidewall of each of the first semiconductorpatterns is wider than the upper second insulating layer on a sidewallof each of the second semiconductor patterns.
 9. The semiconductordevice of claim 8, further comprising a coupling pattern disposedbetween adjacent first and second semiconductor patterns among the firstsemiconductor patterns and the second semiconductor patterns.
 10. Thesemiconductor device of claim 9, wherein the coupling pattern and theadjacent first and second semiconductor patterns are connected to eachother to form a channel layer.
 11. The semiconductor device of claim 9,wherein the coupling pattern is formed in the third insulating layer.12. The semiconductor device of claim 9, wherein the coupling patternincludes a sidewall protruding farther than a sidewall of each of thefirst and second semiconductor patterns in a lateral direction.
 13. Thesemiconductor device of claim 8, further comprising multilayerdielectric layers surrounding sidewalls of the first and secondsemiconductor patterns.
 14. The semiconductor device of claim 13,wherein each of the multilayer dielectric layers includes a tunnelinsulating layer, a data storage layer and a charge blocking layer.